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Britain

Britain
The latest breaking news and stories on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe which includes England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the world’s sixth largest economy. Also covering the UK’s relationship with the European Union (EU) post Brexit, as well as with China, plus commentary and updates on the UK’s economy, politics, society and social issues.
Capital
London
Head of State
King Charles III
King Charles III
Head of Government
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Iranian women visit the ruins of Persepolis, ceremonial capital of the ancient Achaemenid empire of Persia, near Shiraz in Iran. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Trump’s threats against Iran are historically illiterate

The US president’s threats to end Iranian civilisation expose his ignorance of the country’s long history.

Hantavirus

New suspected hantavirus cases found in Spain and remote Tristan da Cunha

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Spain

Spain to repatriate guests as hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads for Canaries

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Hong Kong-UK spying row

Why the UK won’t shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict

Analysts say British authorities will prioritise stable ties with Beijing given current geopolitical uncertainties.

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Hong Kong’s economic and trade office in London. Photo: Google Maps
Hong Kong

Video | UK court convicts 2 men from HK trade office of spying

Hong Kong government claims case ‘absolutely unrelated’ to the administration, while Chinese embassy in UK condemns ‘political move’.

Keir Starmer

UK PM Starmer won’t ‘walk away’ after local election drubbing

Nigel Farage, whose Reform UK gained more seats, said the results so ‌far ‌represented a ‘truly historic shift in British politics’.

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Sri Lanka

Ex-SriLankan Airlines head in US$16 million Airbus corruption case found dead

Kapila Chandrasena was arrested in March on charges of conspiring to accept a US$16 million bribe for the purchase of 10 Airbus aircraft.

A SriLankan Airlines plane takes off from Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake on September 13, 2022. Photo: AFP
India-Pakistan tensions

Chinese J-35 stealth jets set to give Pakistan a strategic edge over India

India has a much larger fleet of 4.5-generation fighters but is lagging behind Pakistan in the acquisition of stealth warplanes.

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Fashion

4 luxury pyjama sets for cosy nights in, from Ralph Lauren to LoveShackFancy

From Olivia von Halle’s Italian-print silk satin to LoveShackFancy’s pima cotton, these jammie sets will make bedtime feel truly indulgent.

World Snooker

Editorial | China’s snooker world champions cue up a bright future for the sport

Wu Yize’s victory, following that of Zhao Xintong, underlines the rise of Chinese players and will help broaden snooker’s global appeal.

China’s Wu Yize celebrates after winning the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield, UK, on May 4. Photo: Xinhua
Ukraine war

Russia and Ukraine trade attacks ahead of Moscow war parade

Russia has threatened a massive strike on the heart of Kyiv if Ukraine disrupts the Victory Day parade on Saturday.

Russian service members rehearsing for Saturday’s parade. Photo: Reuters
European Union

Trump gives EU until July 4 to ratify deal or face tariff hike

US president said he gave EU chief Ursula von der Leyen ‘until our Country’s 250th Birthday’ or tariffs would jump to ‘much higher levels’.

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Man arrested ‘with weapon’ near former prince Andrew’s home

Masked suspect allegedly confronted Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor during a walk, forcing him to flee with his private security.

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Hong Kong-UK spying row

Beijing hits out at UK over conviction of 2 men tied to Hong Kong trade office

Foreign ministry accuse UK of abusing the law after Bill Yuen and Peter Wai found guilty of spying on Hong Kong activists in Britain.

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The case has put the role of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices under the spotlight. Photo: Google Maps
World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO says cruise ship hantavirus outbreak ‘not the start of a pandemic’

The rare disease that hit the MV Hondius is usually spread from infected rodents, typically through urine, droppings and saliva.

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The cruise ship MV Hondius leaves the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Science

China’s Tongji University punishes top cancer researcher for misconduct

Wang Ping has been fired as dean of life sciences school, demoted by two ranks, and issued a 24-month ban on promotions, funding and awards.

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Disease

Nations race to trace passengers of hantavirus-hit cruise ship

Cruise operator says 29 passengers left the MV Hondius in St Helena on April 24, after the first death.

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Royalty

Meet Princess Eugenie’s ‘commoner’ husband and baby daddy, Jack Brooksbank

The British royal is expecting a third child with Brooksbank, who once worked for George Clooney and Rande Gerber’s tequila brand, Casamigos.

Britain’s Princess Eugenie of York is expecting her third child with husband Jack Brooksbank. Photo: AFP
Banking & finance

Macroscope | Australia’s interest rate rise signals growing hawkish stance in Asia

Reserve Bank of Australia is less an outlier than a harbinger of global monetary trends in the wake of war-induced supply shocks.

Banking & finance

Hong Kong sharpens commodities hub ambitions with mediation and yuan push

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po sees “clear room” for more yuan-denominated commodities products as Hong Kong explores mediation role.

Fashion

How British brand If Only If is leading the revival of stylish nighties

Once dismissed as the preserve of grandmas and little girls, the nightie is having its most interesting moment in decades.

Emily Campbell, founder of British handmade nightwear brand If Only If, used to be a teacher. Photo: Handout
New Zealand

Japanese Mogami-class ships possible replacements for New Zealand’s ageing fleet

Wellington plans to increase defence spending to about 2 per cent of gross domestic product, citing rising geopolitical tensions.

Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Forces frigate JS Mogami sails in an undisclosed location. Photo: Australian Defence Force/AFP
India

What the BJP’s historic West Bengal victory means for Modi’s India

Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition now controls roughly 70 per cent of India’s state legislatures, giving him a historic grip on power.

Malaysia

Malaysia seeks to charge 2 over US$278 million Arm semiconductor deal

Ex-economy minister Rafizi Ramli, who is questioned by the MACC, previously pitched the deal as key to the Malaysian chip sector’s future.

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Banking & finance

CK Hutchison’s VodafoneThree exit sparks dividend speculation

Disposal of stake in UK’s biggest mobile carrier adds HK$2 billion profit, but conglomerate unlikely to declare special dividend: Citigroup.

The divestment will lift CK Hutchison’s profit by 7 per cent, according to analysts. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong tourism

Aviation authorities report ‘less than 5%’ flight cuts despite Mideast war

Fewer than 5 per cent of Hong Kong flights for May and June have been cancelled, and about 1 per cent in July, despite global fuel crisis.

The Hong Kong Airport Authority reported fewer than 5 per cent of flights were cancelled in May and June, and about 1 per cent in July. Photo: Eugene Lee
Disease

Spain opens port to virus-hit cruise ship as rare Andes strain confirmed

Madrid steps in to help the MV Hondius, a luxury cruise ship at the centre of an international health scare.

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Disease

Deadly hantavirus may have spread between humans on cruise, but risk low: WHO

The MV Hondius will be sailing to Spain’s Canary Islands, where the 150 people on board will be examined, cared for and sent home.

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